Update:

We are grateful that Avery Morrison was discharged from the hospital just after lunch today. She appears to be improving and regaining her strength a little more quickly than expected.

Sunday was a moving and meaning-filled day for every participant. We began our day by traveling to First Baptist Church in Prague for worship services. We were greeting warmly by Pastor Miloc Solc (pronounced Sholtz) and staff. Pastor Solc and his family returned to Prague from Toronto after the collapse of communism and have reinvigorated the ministry of FBC. Pastor Solc’s brother is professor of evangelism and missiology at Southeastern Seminary in Raleigh.

FBC was established in 1885. The main street entrance is minimalist, much like the entrance to an inner city apartment complex. Members told us that the entrance was intentionally designed to protect the anonymity of the church during the occupation of hostile military regimes.

Our choir and orchestra shared five songs and I shared a message from Exodus. It was obvious to us that we were worshipping alongside a congregation that appreciates the freedom and privilege of worship. The congregation joined the choir, some in English and others in Czech, on many of the selections. “Amazing Grace” took on new meaning as the blending of languages and voices ascended heavenward. I noticed tears in the eyes of both congregants and choir members as we shared in worship, a reminder of the vast diversity within the family of God.

David Slama, a minister from the northernmost region of the Czech Republic served as my interpreter. David was articulate and genuinely humble. Our group quickly came to love the pastor and congregation, but we had a special appreciation for David.

Many others joined us for worship. A youth group from Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia filled the balcony. A Romanian minister attended both morning and evening, and literally begged Bob Morrison to bring our choir to Romania. IMB missionaries and personnel enjoyed visiting our group, especially Steve Warren and the Terrells, who are friends of FBCP member, Gloria Kerley.

After the morning service, we boarded buses for a one hour trip to Terezin for an afternoon tour. Terezin is a concentration camp where both Czech political prisoners and Jews were detained by the Germans. Terezin was a holding prison and not a gas chamber, but many were transported to Aushwitz from there. However, our guided tour gave our group picturesque insight to the horrors of the Nazi regime. Many were tortured, hanged, or shot while in Terezin and many more died after being liberated due to disease, exposure, and malnutrition.

This was an especially emotional visit for Mavis Garrett and her daughter, Janie, because Mr. Garrett had been detained as a POW in a similar camp.

At the conclusion of our tour of Terezin, Bob had asked me to share a “Pause for Power,” which is what we call our regular devotional moments throughout the trip. I shared the following passages from Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist was had been a detainee, and from Micah 6:8:

“The meaning of our existence is not invented by ourselves, but detected.”

“What matters therefore is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific purpose of life at any given moment.”

“We can discover this meaning in three ways: (1) by doing a deed, (2) by experiencing a value, or (3) by suffering.”

“What is required of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.

On Sunday morning we had learned the fax machine had been stolen from FBC. On Sunday afternoon, en route back to Prague we decided to take an impromptu offering for FBC to replace the stolen equipment. Our group pooled our loose Czech coins and currency and collected over 6600 crowns, or over $325 US dollars to present to Pastor Solc.

On Sunday evening we returned to FBC to share a full concert. We should not have been surprised that the congregation returned in large numbers. Russians, Romanians, Brittains, Czechs and Americans all joined in voice to sing “How Great Thou Art.” Our choir and orchestra sang with missional passions. As one choir member said, “I was exhausted prior to the concert and energized afterwards.”

After a long, long day, and long walks from the hotel to the bus parking area, we gathered in Old Town Square dressed in concert formals at 10 p.m. for a group photo. Then the group turned in for an evening of much deserved rest.

Today is Monday, a free day for sightseeing and touring. While some slept in, many of us arose for an early breakfast and brisk walk to the Vtlava River and the historic St. Charles Bridge. Near the bridge there is an excellent photo spot in a floral garden overlooking the river with Prague Castle atop the hill in the background. This scene will adorn the photo albums of many members our tour group.

We have heard the FBCP enjoyed a good day of services and we have already received a photo of the “Here Ye Choir,” courtesy of Myron Almond.

I enjoyed an early breakfast with Bill Morrison just before he returned to Old Town Hospital to check on Avery. Bill is meeting with doctors this morning to discuss Avery’s possible discharge later this afternoon. Avery was spirited and gaining strength yesterday following her surgery on Saturday evening. The Morrisons are tentatively planning to complete the trip with us, but will quickly alter that plan for an early return trip home if Avery has any complications.

Other than Avery, everyone in our group is healthy. And we are learning with illustrative clarity a new Bobism: “to be on time is to be late and to be early is to be on time.”

Our group departs Prague for Vienna tomorrow morning at 8 via motorcoach.

After a long day of flying which began on Thursday in Pensacola, all three flights of our Music Tour Team arrived in Prague on Friday afternoon. A couple of our groups experienced minor flight delays but everyone had a safe trip and all luggage and instruments arrived by midnight Friday.

Unfortunately, Joyce Butler had to cancel just a few hours before our departure. Joyce encountered some mild health complications on Wednesday and her doctor advised against travel.

Also, the wireless internet access at our hotel is temporarily out of order. Those of us who can access a dial-up service are sending brief messages to family and friends. Many of us hope to send photos from our next hotel.

Most of the couples are staying at the Hotel Prague on the historic city square. Singles are staying at the Grand Bohemia Hotel which is only a couple of blocks from the historic city square. The area around the square could be compared to the French Quarter of New Orleans.

After an early breakfast we departed for a guided City Tour. Prague is a city of 1.3 million residents, a majority of whom are extremely friendly and welcoming. All of us are amazed at the detailed architectural designs and the lively artistic culture of Prague. After years of military occupation, Prague is re-emerging as a cultural community that thrives on art, music, drama, and philosophy.

The focal point of our morning tour was Prague Castle and the St. Vitus Cathedral. Our tour guides were mostly history majors who were informative and engaging as they narrated our tour in articulate English.

As we were departing the courtyard at Prague Castle, Avery Morrison tripped and fell downhill, banging face first against a concrete wall, then falling hard to the ground. Paramedics were summoned to take her to a local hospital. She had a small laceration to the forehead and a broken arm. X-rays revealed a clean but complete fracture between her left elbow and shoulder. After consulting with an orthopedic surgeon here, the Morrisons opted to proceed with surgery. Avery was out of surgery and in recovery by 7 this evening. Dr. Andy White and I have just returned from visiting Avery. She is in good spirits and feels she has received excellent treatment and hospitality from the local hospital. Doctors want her to stay 3-4 days but she is hoping to be discharged by Monday evening.

This afternoon we presented our first concert. We sang at the Historic St. Nicholas Church, one of the oldest Protestant churches in Prague. Because of the church’s strategic location on the historic city square, St. Nicholas Church host daily concerts. The church was closed during the German and Soviet occupation, at one time even used as a horse stable. But in recent years, the church has grown to 400 members and has been re-established as a center for Christian Social Ministry. After our concert, the pastor at St. Nicholas continued to express gratitude for our visit describing our concert as “the best concert ever hosted by St. Nicholas.” Although we did not charge admission, our concert was advertised as having “voluntary entrance fee.” A few thousand “crowns” were received which will help fund the ministry of the church.

Tomorrow is one of our busiest days. We will worship and sing at First Baptist Church in Prague tomorrow morning and then return to FBC for a full concert tomorrow evening. I am looking forward to sharing the sermon during the service tomorrow. The pastor’s daughter will translate for me.

Our touring group is like one big family. Deeper friendships are emerging and everyone on the trip seems to sense the awesome opportunity we have to share the good news in song even as we learn more about the Czech Republic.

As our International Music Mission Team prepares to leave for Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna, I found in my files a summary note from Dr. Viktor Frankl’s writings:

In his book, Man’s Search For Meaning, Austrian psychiatrist Dr. Viktor Frankl documents the profound power that a life purpose exerts over an individual under even the worst of circumstances. Frankl, who survived the Nazi concentration camps, described how prisoners who felt they had nothing to live for succumbed, while those who perceived themselves as having a mission to complete, struggled to survive. Deprived of all external supports that might give life meaning, these survivors came to realize that, in Frankl’s words, “It did not really matter what we expected of life, but rather what life expected from us.” Their sense of an inner purpose pulled them through the most horrible physical and emotional experiences so that
they might make their unique contribution to the world.

Everyone has a purpose in life beyond one’s immediate interests and gratifications, though that purpose frequently goes undiscovered. Many people devote their entire lives to the pursuit of greater ease and pleasure. Those who had not found the “why” that gives meaning to existence may achieve material success, yet the real goodness of life will elude them. The true meaning of life lies in sharing our particular qualities of greatness with others.

On July 13, ninety-eight musicians and missioners from First Baptist church will depart for an international music missions tour. The 2006 “Go Ye Tour” promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime educational and spiritual adventure. We will visit Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna, areas rich in history, culture, and religion. Our diverse repertoire includes classical pieces by Mozart, a hymn arrangement, a rhythmic spiritual, a popular composition by Michael W. Smith, and an acapella benediction. On Sunday July 16, it will be my privilege to share a sermon at the First Baptist Church of Prague.

Throughout the tour, I hope to keep you updated with stories, highlights, and anecdotes as the hills come alive with sounds of timeless music and a life-changing message.

From childhood to adulthood, we have pledged to work toward “ liberty and justice for all.” We live in a nation that envisions liberty and justice for all people. For some, “liberty” has become a license for self-centeredness and “justice” has been reduced to sheer vindictiveness or revenge. The historical American concept of liberty, however, is not that one is free to do as one pleases without accountability for the consequences of one’s actions. Rather, our heritage of liberty means that we are not owned or enslaved by another person or power. We enjoy individual and corporate freedom within the boundaries of ethical and moral responsibility. True liberty calls on us to express ourselves with civility while respecting the rights of others who may think differently to do the same.

Justice is much more than being affirmed for right behavior or punished for bad behavior. Justice strives to create viable opportunities for all persons to succeed economically, vocationally, and socially. Real justice seeks to create opportunities for the disadvantaged, such as the poor, widows, orphans, the sick, strangers, the hungry, the homeless, and those in prison.

We have pledged ourselves to work for “liberty and justice for all” persons, regardless of gender, race, economic status, political ideology, and religious background. To believe in liberty and justice for a select few is to abide by a shallow theology and uninformed patriotism.

Liberty and justice are not just philosophical ideals. They are practical spiritual values. John 8:32 proclaims, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” and II Corinthians 3:17 contends that, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Isaiah 30:18 announces, “For the Lord is a God of justice,” and Amos 5:24 exclaims, “Let justice roll on like a river.”
All this week, picnics, recreational games, and fireworks will all mark the birthday of our nation’s independence. As you celebrate, recommit your talent, your energy, and your influence to these concepts we call “liberty” and “justice.”

On Friday morning, Amanda and I left Pensacola to travel to Western Kentucky. En route, we delivered a birthday gift to our two year old great nephew, Elisha, in Alexandria. Afterward, we accompanied my grandmother, affectionately known as Big Mama, to make her first visit to see her 10 day old great, great granddaughter, Lydia Grace Ferguson. Then, we dropped Amanda at her mother’s home in Jacksonville, while I transported Big Mama to her home in Anniston.

When I returned to the home of Amanda’s parents in Jacksonville, I found her mom to be lightly sick and fatigued, but not overwhelmed with debilitating sickness. We had a pleasant visit with Amanda’s parents, and then hit the road for Kentucky early on Saturday morning.

Amanda and I have enjoyed visiting First Baptist Church of Madisonville, Kentucky where I have been leading Winter Bible Study. During my years of service in Eastern Kentucky, I came to appreciate FBC Madisonville as one of the leading missions and ministry congregations in Western Kentucky. Although we missed being in worship with our First Baptist Pensacola Family, we are thoroughly enjoying our experiences in worship and Bible study with our friends in Madisonville.

We are also excited about good things happening at First Baptist Pensacola, especially the arrival of our two new associate ministers. On February 22, our church family unanimously called Don Minton as Associate Minister to provide leadership to Median/Senior Adults and Missions. Don and Debbie will be joining us on Sunday March 19. Ross and Jeana Lankford will be joining us on April 2. On the evening of April 2, we will welcome the Mintons and Lankfords with a reception in Chipley Hall. Continue to pray for both families as they make final preparations for their move to Pensacola. Ross and Don are going to be key additions to our team of staff ministers.

After completing this Winter Bible Study series in Kentucky, on Sunday I will begin a new series of messages from II Isaiah entitled “When God Calls Your Name.” I hope that members of our church family will read Isaiah 40-44 as we prepare to consider the hope-filled prophetic passages. In the first message we will examine Isaiah 40:18-31 as we affirm that there is absolutely no comparison between God and other loyalties.

When we leave the warm hospitality of our Kentucky friends, we are looking forward to returning home to Pensacola where the breeze blows warmer and the Spirit keeps sending new friends and undeserved blessings our way.